Lemon Catnip (Nepeta cataria ssp. citriodora)

An herbaceous perennial to around 1m tall with branched stems bearing lemon-scented, greyish-green, scallop-edged leaves. Small purple-spotted white flowers appear from summer into autumn. This is a very hardy plant that is both drought and frost tolerant. Grow in full sun in well drained soil. Not only do the cats love this plant but so do the bees. Trim back faded stems to encourage more flowers.

Catnip is easy to dry at a low temperature in a dehydrator, or you can hang the stems in small bunches to dry in a warm, airy place. Store dried catnip in airtight containers in a cool, dark place.

The leaves can be brewed into a refreshing, calming lemon-mint tea, often used as a bedtime drink. Fresh or dried leaves are used to add a citrus zest to salads, dips, and cold drinks, particularly in the summer.

Insect repellent: The plant contains a compound called nepetalactone, which has been found to repel mosquitoes, flies, and other pests.

Nepeta seeds can be sown any time of the year in warm zones. In cooler areas, seeds are best sown in autumn and grown to about 10cm in height. Plants are then transfer into the garden when the danger of frost has past. Seeds should germinate in around 10-20 days at a soil temperature of 21-27°C. There is time to grow these seeds before frost sets in but I wouldn't transplant them to the garden until next spring. This means you would need to over winter them somewhere warm. Sprinkle seeds on top of soil and water in. Keep seeds damp but not wet.

Seeds currently available.

$5.00 - 30 open pollinated seeds

$4.00 - postage within Australia

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